GOP Texas bill could jail you for owning or watching Goblin Slayer and more

A controversial bill has been unanimously passed by Republicans in Texas, which could potentially criminalize the ownership or viewing of certain manga series.

The bill, known as Senate Bill 20 and sponsored by GOP senator Pete Flores, aims to penalize the possession or promotion of materials depicting individuals under 18 years old, regardless of whether they are real, animated, or digitally created.

If signed into law, first-time offenders could face a minimum of five years in prison for owning or accessing such content, leading to concerns about the censorship of popular manga titles like Goblin Slayer and Fruits Basket.

This move is seen as part of a larger cultural battle against anime and manga, with conservative groups like Moms For Liberty advocating for the removal of what they deem as “degenerate” content from circulation.

Critics of the bill argue that it could have far-reaching consequences for the anime community, potentially restricting access to a wide range of titles under the guise of protecting children from harmful material.

As the situation unfolds, there are hopes that the law will be challenged in The Supreme Court. Nichegamer will continue to provide updates on this developing story.